Steelers: Another Disheartening Loss

Dec 16, 2012; Arlington, TX, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws in the pocket against the Dallas Cowboys at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Wow, another Steeler loss that left me shaking my head. I find it difficult to find something to say at this point. The Steelers looked really out of it in the first quarter and I was glad to see the momentum come back and the team make progress on both sides of the ball in the second quarter. While I don’t specifically “hate” any other team, the Cowboys rank high on my list of dislikes. My ex was a somewhat obnoxious Cowboys fan during our marriage and tried to convert my son toward the dark side. Once he was a teenager, he switched to the Steelers, so I always felt like I got a ‘lick’ in on “America’s Team.” A win would have made my weekend. Instead, I’m looking for positives from the game. And, there are a few. Roethlisberger had a couple of signature moments. One was when he just kept getting away from the defenders and waiting for Heath Miller to get open for the touchdown. He must have held the ball for at least 8 seconds. The other was the 60-yard pass to Wallace – which thankfully he caught. I was also glad to see a couple of sacks for the Steelers, but that wasn’t enough either. At times I was just yelling “Could someone please tackle the guy in white and blue with the star on his helmet? Please?”

There were some negatives that make me think will make it difficult to beat either the Bengals or the Browns as the season winds down. The defensive back position is so depleted. No disrespect to Josh Victorian, but the Cowboys were just bouncing off of him. He’s 5’10” and 190 pounds, maybe he would be more effective as a cornerback or safety. I realize that size doesn’t mean everything, but the Cowboys seemed to be eating his lunch today. I think he was giving 100% effort, but he wasn’t getting enough results. Perhaps his rookie status has more to do with it, but it has been a tough season for Steelers defensive backs. The dropsies continue. I came out of my chair when the Cowboys stripped the ball from Antonio Brown. Surely, as a veteran who has been extremely successful for the Steelers, he knows better. He saw the big gain in his mind and lost sight of the defenders closing in. I know he felt terrible and lobbied to get back in and make up for it, but it was too little, too late. Yes, I could go on and on and pick things apart with the Steelers, but frankly, I’m tired of doing that.

It was an overtime loss, which meant that the Steelers stayed in it and kept it from being a blow-out. However, there are enough shouldas, couldas, wouldas left from this game to point toward mistakes being the difference. The Cowboys outplayed the Steelers and THAT leaves a bad taste in my mouth. The Cowboys are easily susceptible to losing heart when the momentum shifts, but they were never down enough for it to bother them. The Steelers should have been able to take advantage of some Cowboy miscues but somehow did not. No interceptions again today. Either the Steelers have become predictable or they aren’t getting close enough to the receivers for fear of drawing a penalty. Pass Interference has a hefty penalty and is one rule I think needs to be looked at. I think that rule is a little out of control.

Pro Bowl Voting is About to End

Oh, one last thing – Pro Bowl voting will close out on Monday night. Make sure to get over to the site and submit your ballot for the players you think deserve to make the trip. I’m still hoping that they will have to decline because they are in the Super Bowl, but I think several of the Steelers players deserve the recognition. Vote here.